South Midlands Careers Hub’s Post

“The Gatsby Benchmarks are the recognised world-class standard in careers education. Their near universal adoption - with more than 90% of schools and colleges across the country using them - and a near trebling in progress since 2018, shows they are the firm foundation for supporting all our young people to understand the world of work, develop skills and make the most of their talents. “The updated benchmarks reinforce the position of careers education as fundamental in driving better outcomes for young people. They place it at the heart of education, leadership and school improvement and bring refreshed emphasis to inclusion, meaningful and multiple employer experiences, data to target support where it’s most needed and the greater involvement of parents. “Modern careers education plays a vital role in breaking down barriers, preventing young people becoming NEET and promoting skills, social mobility and growth. Working with the Gatsby Foundation and wider partners, we aim to support schools and colleges through our Careers Hubs as we work towards implementation of the updated benchmarks from September 2025." - Oli de Botton, CEO, The Careers & Enterprise Company ➡️ Read about the updates to the Gatsby Benchmarks: https://bit.ly/40O1S53 #CareersEducation #GatsbyBenchmarks #Careers

As the dust settles on this long-awaited update, I would encourage careers leaders and employers engaging with education outreach to review appendix 9 - a summary of the new wording changes from the original Benchmarks. Widespread implementation of the Benchmarks has had a clear impact on student outcomes across the country. Career readiness is improving and there is a strong correlation between implementation of the Benchmarks and improved destinations for learners. We'll be unpacking the detail and convening spaces for discussions over the coming months. On first glance, it is good to see a renewed focus on parent/carer engagement, increased emphasis on careers being a whole school ethos (including staff development) and great to see a differentiated approach to LMI based on learner need included in GB2. If you have any questions related to the Gatsby Benchmarks, either from an education institution or industry outreach perspective please reach out to us at the Central London Careers Hub and we will support.

The Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers guidance have been updated. Since the Benchmarks were launched a decade ago, careers guidance has been improved for millions of young people. A lot has changed in that time. The updated Benchmarks will deliver even more impact for young people over the next ten years. The core of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks remains the same, but the changes that have been made are really important. ➡️ There is no immediate action required from you at this time other than to reflect, celebrate and encourage strategic thinking in preparation for implementation. ➡️ We encourage you to read the report, Good Career Guidance: The Next Ten Years, to learn more about the rationale for the changes and see examples of impressive practice: https://bit.ly/40O1S53

Yesterday we celebrated the first 10 years of the Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Career Guidance in schools and colleges, and looked forward to the next 10 years with confidence and optimism. Our confidence comes from nearly two years of review and consultation with schools, colleges and training providers across the country - we have been told many times that the Benchmarks are helping them change young lives for the better. So we have captured all that we found in a report and updated some of the Benchmark guidance. Our optimism comes from the depth of support from many and widespread individuals and organisations, and the Government's commitment to the Benchmarks remaining embedded in statutory guidance. The Gatsby Benchmarks are here to stay.   Beth Jones, our inspirational Head of Career Programmes, urged us when launching the report, "Encourage your networks to take a step back. Use this opportunity to celebrate progress, elevate careers into the heart of education, and think strategically about next steps."   So to all of those in my LinkedIn network, (re)acquaint yourselves with the Gatsby Benchmarks: https://lnkd.in/eqcRz3QT For FE/HE providers in particular, what more can you do to help schools, colleges and ITPs provide meaningful encounters for all young people with the many post-18 opportunities you provide (Benchmark 7). For employers, have you made contact with your local Careers Hub who can help you provide young people with the best possible experiences of the world of work (Benchmarks 5 and 6)?   If you want to find out more about the Gatsby Benchmarks, then make contact with one of my amazing colleagues in the Careers team: Beth J., Robert Cremona and Thomas Shirt. 

Effective career guidance transforms lives and drives social mobility. It’s crucial for all young people, whatever their background. Much has changed since the Gatsby Benchmarks for good career guidance were introduced in 2014. The world has evolved; and, following two years of research and consultation – and input from people like me! – so have the benchmarks. The updated benchmarks will help schools, colleges and ITPs achieve even more impact for their young people. The core of the benchmarks remains the same, but the changes made are really important. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/ejQEuWUT #gatsbybenchmarks #careeradvice #careerguidance #careers     

For the last ten years, the Gatsby Benchmarks have helped colleges and schools and ITPs deliver impactful careers guidance. This has transformed outcomes for young people. Now, following two years of extensive research and stakeholder engagement, the Gatsby Benchmarks have been updated. The updated benchmarks will ensure the next generation of young people benefit from the world-class provision they deserve. See the updated benchmarks and read the report: https://buff.ly/3CGQqOA

Did you know #experientiallearning courses for #students are new to most college and university campuses? When campuses don't have them, then students must create their own post-college success plan (to transition to graduate school or a career) using existing campus resources. But how do students accomplish this on their own? Click through (and pause when needed) for 3 tips you can use Fall 2024 for a successful semester. These tips work for #gradstudents too - especially 3. And make sure you connect with the alumni services office for your undergrad institution and your grad institution, if they are not the same. #hbcus | #careers | #studentsuccess July 1, 2024

This week, #TLevelsWeek has been truly inspiring, reading all about the incredible work happening nationwide by students, teachers, providers, employers and many more organisations. It raises one simple question, Why wouldn’t you get involved with T Levels in any way you can? ⭐️ They are top-quality qualifications offering both depth and breadth in their curriculum. ⭐️ They feature rigorous external assessments to ensure high standards. ⭐️ They equip students with essential employability and life skills. ⭐️ They prepare learners for further academic study and careers. ⭐️ They are different and this difference should be celebrated, they stand out positively from other courses at this level. ⭐️ They are the most advanced technical qualifications this country has ever seen. ⭐️ They are exactly what industry needs and wants. And if that’s not enough, check out my blog to discover the immediate benefits the higher education and research sector has experienced by hosting T Level Industry Placements! T Levels The All-Party Parliamentary Group for T Levels Technician Commitment Association of Colleges Department for Education University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) Science Council

This semester in my ENTRP 490 class, I had the opportunity to develop my teamwork and problem-solving skills, two critical NACE Career Competencies. Along with my group members, we brainstormed key features for a tool we called “Course Compass,” designed to help students manage their academic journey more efficiently. My role in the project involved researching student needs and leading the development of the degree planning feature. One of the biggest challenges I faced was ensuring that our tool catered to a diverse group of students with different academic paths. This required constant iteration and incorporating feedback from peers and advisors. Although this was challenging at times, especially when balancing multiple perspectives, I worked closely with my team to refine the feature and make it more adaptable. This experience not only strengthened my problem-solving skills but also taught me the importance of flexibility and effective communication in teamwork. Now, I feel more confident in applying these skills to real-world projects, knowing how to approach complex problems and collaborate to find meaningful solutions. NACE Career Competencies: https://lnkd.in/eCg5XgCf #ENTRP490 #CarsonCougs #WSU #Innovation

🎓 T Levels: The Future of Education? 🚀 Joanna Brown, Careers Lead at Milton Keynes College Group and the new chair of the UCAS Qualifications Advisory Group, says: 📚 T Levels are as rigorous as A Levels 🏢 They offer valuable industry placements 💻 Students gain crucial digital and employability skills Brown challenges universities and employers to recognize T Levels' true value. 🤔 Read more about bridging Further and Higher Education: https://lnkd.in/d2ygb8iw #TLevels #EducationInnovation #CareerReadiness